Loose leaf binder



Aug. 2, 1932. 54 E. HAMLIN 1,869,937

LOOSE LEAF' BINDER Filed Nv. 5, 1951 INVENTUR ATTDRNEYQ Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUY E. HAMLIN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW'YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MCMILLAN BOOK COMPANY,

OF SYRACUSE', NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK y ,LOOSE LEAF BINDER Application tiled November 5, 1931.

This invention relates to a new and improved loose leaf binder and is a continuation in part of my co-pending application for loose leaf binder `filed May 22, 1930, Serial i No. 454,691.

Although my invention may be used with various types of loose leaf binders, it is particularly well adapted for use with binders of the split ring type. Y

In binders of this character, when the book is closed, the inner face of the covers will contact with the sidesof the rings and after a period of use, the covers eventually become worn and torn at these points of contact. Furthermore, in the case of books having covers of a flexible material such as leather which is comparatively thin, the rings will cause portions of the cover to bulge outwardly when the book is Closed, and to a considerable degree, will render the book less attractive in appearance.

The main object of my invention is to provide a protective means'fo-r "the covers of a loose leaf binder which will prevent any damage to the covers from contact with the rings.

Another object isto provide a means on the covers of a loose leaf binder which will prevent the same from becoming distorted when they are in contact with the securing rings in the binder.

A further object Vis to accomplish the result desired in such a way that the ieXibility of the overs will not be adected.

Other objects and advantages relate to the size, shape and arrangement of parts, all as will more fully appeanfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a perspective view, partially broken away, of av loose leaf binder embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2,-2 of Figure l.

Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views showing modified forms of my invention.

For the purpose of explaining my invention, I have here shown a split ring binder of a conventional type having the opposed cov ers l and 2 formed of a flexible material such as leather, and integral with the back mem- Serial No. 573,144.

ber 3. The material of which the covers l and 2 and the back member 3 are formed, being flexible, the covers l and 2 are in hinged relation to the back member 3. Secured to the back member 3 'is a spring back plate 4 having channels at its opposite longitudinal edges.

Aring plate 5 having secured thereto in spaced relation a plurality, in this case n shown as three, of half rings 6, has one edge positioned in one of the channels of the back plate 4.

A second ring plate 7 having secured thereto in spaced relation a plurality, in this case shown as three, of half rings 8, has one edgepositioned in the other channel in bac-k plate 4L For the purpose of holding ring plates 5 and .7 in position on back plate 4, I provide a plurality, usually three, although I have here shown only one, of spaced double headed buttons 9.

The inner longitudinal edges of the ring plates 5 and 7 engage the shank of the but n tons 9 between the opposite heads, such ring 75 plates 5 and 7 preferably being notched so as to hold the buttons 9 from longitudinal movement with respect to the back plate 4.

The combined width of ring plates 5 and 7 and the buttons 9 is slightly greater than the normal distance` between the channels in spring' back plate 4 so that when the half rings 6 and 8 are manipulated towards and from each other, the ring plates 5 and 7 are permitted to move above and below dead center owing to the resiliency of spring plate 4 and will be releasably held in either the open or closed position by the resiliency of such back plate 4.

|The half rings G onring plate 5 and the half rings 8 on ring plate 7 are so positioned with relation to each other that the ends of the opposed half rings 6 and 8 will come into registration when they are closed to form uo rings.

For the purpose of covering up the back plate assembly, I prefer a curved top plate 10 having channels at the opposite long'itudinal edges, which plate l0 is sprung over 100 the opposite longitudinal edges of the back plate 4. y

In Figure 2, I have shown a conventional type of binder in which the covers are formed of a flexible material such as leather, and which are provided With supplemental coverings 11 and 12 affixed respectively to the inner faces of covers 1 and 2.

For the purpose of protecting the inner faces of the covers Where they come in contact with the rings when the book is closed, and for the purpose of preventing distortion of the covers when in contact with the rings, I provide on cover 1, a plurality, in this case shown as three, of thin circular metal disks 18 which are positioned in the inner lface of the cover 1 and which are so located as to register With the half rings 6 When the book is closed.

y Similarly, I provide on the inner face of cover 2, a plurality of similar disks 16 positioned to register With the half rings 8 When the book is closed. Due to the fact that the inner kcoverings 11 and 12 are adhesively secured to the inner faces of the covers 1 and 2 With the disks 13 and 16 therebetween, such disks vvill be held securely7 in position.

In Figure 3, I have shown a construction similar to that shown in Figure 2 with the difference that the disks 13 and 16 are counter-sunk as indicated at --aF in the material of which the cover is made so that the inner faces of the covers 1 and 2 will not show the slight protuberances which will be present if the disks 13 and 16 are on the upper surface of the material of Which the covers are made.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated a construction inwvhich no inner covering is provided, and in this arrangement, the disks 13 and 16 are made of any suitable material Which may be adhesively secured to the material of which the cover is made.

These disks may be countersunk as shown at if desired, or they may be secured directly to the face of the cover.

f The advantage of the construction here disclosed is that the inner faces of the covers are protected aga-inst damage and at the same time, the flexibility of the material of which the covers are ma de is not diminished.

It will be understood that although I have shown the protectorseparate plates 13 and 16 as being circular in the form of disks, they may be of other desired shape Without departing from the invention.

It will also be understood that these protector disks may be Iliade of different material and may be of varying thicknesses, depending upon the material used provided only that they be sufficiently stift1 to prevent any distortion or Wearing of the cover from contact with the rings.

It will also be understood that my invention is adapted to be used With any type of binder in which the covers, when the binder is closed,

come in Contact with the securing means for loose leaves, for although I have shown and described a specific structure and form and relation of parts as an exemplication of an embodiment of my invention, I do not desire to restrict myself to the exact size, shape or relation of parts, as various changes may be made Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim;

1. In a device of the class described, a strip of flexible material having opposed end portions adapted to form the covers of a loose leaf binder, and having a central portion connecting the end portions, a plurality of split rings secured to the central portion in spaced relation, and a plurality of spaced individual protective disks secured to each end portion of the flexible material, each disk being adapted to register With a split ring when the covers are in the closed position.

2. In a device of the class described, a strip of flexible material having opposed end portions adapted to form the covers of a loose leaf binder and having a central portion connecting the end portions, a plurality of leafretaining means secured to the central portion in spaced relation, and a plurality of spaced individual protective disks secured to each end portion of the flexible material, each disk being adapted to register with a leaf-re- 9 taining means when the covers are in the closed position.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, opposed covers formed of a flexible material and hingedly connected to the back member, a plurality of leaf-retaining means secured to the back member in spaced relation, and a plurality of spaced individual protective disks secured to each cover in spaced relation, each disk being positioned to register with one of the leaf-retaining neans when the covers are in the closed posiion.

4. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, opposed covers formed of a flexible material and hingedly connected to the back member, a plurality of split rings secured to the back member in spaced relation, and a plurality of spaced individual protective disks secured to each cover in spaced relation, each disk being positioned to register with a split ring When the covers are in the closed position.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14 day of October, 1931.

GUY E. HAlWLIN. 

